Let Go And Be Happy
If you keep on
thinking of all the ways in which Others cheated you, fought with you, degraded
you or angered you; Your heart will forever be full of hatred.
Learn to let go. And
be happy.
The Monkey With The Wooden Apples
There once was a happy monkey wandering the jungle, eating delicious fruit when hungry, and resting when tired. One day he came upon a house, where he saw a bowl of the most beautiful apples. He took one in each hand and ran back into the forest.
He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing. He tried to eat them, but hurt his teeth. They were made of wood, but they were beautiful, and when the other monkeys saw them, he held onto them even tighter.
He admired his new possessions proudly as he wandered the jungle. They glistened red in the sun, and seemed perfect to him. He became so attached to them, that he didn’t even notice his hunger at first.
A fruit tree reminded him, but he felt the apples in his hands. He couldn’t bear to set them down to reach for the fruit. In fact, he couldn’t relax, either, if he was to defend his apples. A proud, but less happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.
The apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey thought about leaving them behind. He was tired, hungry, and he couldn’t climb trees or collect fruit with his hands full. What if he just let go?
Letting go of such valuable things seemed crazy, but what else could he do? He was so tired. Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling it’s fruit was enough. He dropped the wooden apples and reached up for his meal. He was happy again.
Letting Go Of Wooden Apples
Like that little monkey, we sometimes carry things that seem too valuable to let go. A person carries an image of themselves as “productive” carries it like a shiny wooden apple. But in reality, their busyness leaves them tired, and hungry for a better life. Still, letting go seems crazy. Even their worries are sacred apples – they prove s/he’s “doing everything s/he can.” S/He holds onto them compulsively.
This is a hard thing to see. We identify so strongly with our things even, feeling pain when our cars are dented. How much more powerfully will God identify us with our Faith and God’s commandments?? Have you obeyed them? but we have always searched after vain pleasures to make us happy , Yet they don’t always feed our souls, do they? And we become tired of defending them.
How else could the story end?
The monkey might be found dead of hunger, under a beautiful tree, with fruit within reach, but still grasping his wooden apples.
I chose to end it with him letting go, because only with open hands can we receive anything. Ask God & He will give you more greater riches.
Well, the boy grew up. He ended up hurting his knee in football and could not even climb a tree — let alone a great mountain. He had to live in the city in an apartment for his job. He ended up falling in love and marrying a short, brown-haired, brown-eyed girl. He had three lovely daughters. One grew up to be a teacher, one a nurse and one a writer. He lived a good and happy life. It was not until he was an older man that he remembered the prayer he made as child. Looking back on all the things he wanted and did not get, the man became depressed. In his sadness he cried out to God and asked why he didn’t get what he wanted. God simply replied, "Because I wanted you to be happy."
God has promised us that He will give us good gifts (Matthew 7:11). Are you seeing the blessings God has for you? He knows what we need better than we do. Let us put our faith and trust in him.
Happy Moments
I took my sons out for a walk at a nearby lake the other day. The weather
was perfect for it. The sky was clear, the temperature was warm, the sun was
dancing off the waves, and flowers were blooming along the walk path
surrounding the water. Couples both young and old were walking along the path
enjoying all of this God given beauty. Dozens of people were fishing peacefully
along the banks and in boats. Children were running and playing with their
dogs. Families were setting up picnic dinners for later. Some people were just
sitting in the grass looking blissfully out on the water. I even saw one young
woman praying with a joyful smile on her face as she sat under a tree. Never
had I seen so many people spending their time so well.
The day after the great teacher and writer Leo Buscaglia died a note was
found in his typewriter. It simply said, "Every moment spent in
unhappiness is a moment of happiness lost." I for one don’t want to lose
any more moments of happiness that I have left in this world. I want to use and
enjoy every single one of them. It doesn’t matter if they are spent working,
playing, eating, reading, singing, praying, or just walking in the sunshine. I
want to spend my time well and fill my life with happy moments. I want to
choose love, share joy, and be one with God all day long every single day of my
life.
Happiness isn’t something you find. Happiness is something you choose.
Happiness is something you live. Life here is both precious and brief. Spend it
well. Live it joyously. Don’t waste a second of it on unhappiness. Go to work
with a smile on your face. Greet others with love in your heart. Exercise with
pleasure. Play with delight. Pray with both peace and joy. Learn from your
pain. Grow from your troubles. And always use every moment you are given to
choose more love, joy, peace, happiness, and oneness with God.
~~Joseph J. Mazzella
Am I Happy?
If there is any sadness I make a strong effort to be free
of it quickly, otherwise it grows like a vine in the rainy season: by midday I
will be confused; by evening a whole jungle of weak, wasteful and negative
attitudes will have taken deep roots in my mind. The result equals chaos.
Sometimes I reach a stage where the attitude is: "So what if I feel the
blues today? It is my life; no one else will be affected".
Firstly, the more I allow myself to experience sorrow,
the less time I have available to be happy and contented. It sounds
ridiculously obvious, but am I aware of the value of happiness? It is an
extremely rare commodity, and the cost goes sky high.
Secondly, is it my life? Yes, I am living it, but am I
not a member of a family or a co-worker with others, and am I not part of
society? If so, then every movement affects and is affected by those around me.
~~unknown
